I’ve done it! I’ve switched to Radio 4 in the morning!

[greengreyblue]

Does this mean I have finally grown up aged 53? I’ve been listening to Radio 2 for years . Couldn’t face Zoe so tried Greatest Hits- can’t bear the ads. Tried Virgin but Chris and crew were too much. Now Scot Mills is in place I just give up!
Still love Liza Tarbuck on radio 2 but for my daily news and calm start to my day it’s radio 4 all the way. What can I look forward to? Any particular shows I should listen out for? I can listen before 8.30 and after 4pm in the week.

The Archers obviously.

Im Sorry I haven’t I clue

Just a minute.

Avoid: you and yours

Have you tried 5 live? Radio 4 seems a big jump from a music based station

What age bracket are you ?

Women’s hour!

Pick of the week Sundays 6.15 - 7pm. Different presenter each week going over some interesting programmes in the previous week.

Plus, get used to looking at the schedules every now and then rather than just switching it on blindly. Some absolute gems are there, hidden away.

No idea when they’re on as I listen to these on BBC Sounds, but some I like….

All in the mind, about mental health issues

File on 4 investigates, self explanatory

In and out of the kitchen, a comedy with Miles Jupp

Tom Wrigglesworth’s hang ups, comedy about a man’s phone calls to his parents

more or less, crunching the statistics from this week’s news. Way more interesting than it sounds!

The public philosopher, big issues with the audience joining in

dead ringers, funny impressions. VERY funny.

The gift, looking at dna tests and the secrets that are revealed. There’s a thread about it on here.

Behind the crime, 2 forensic psychologists talk to criminals

Sideways with Matthew Syed. Very interesting and quite random.

And on and on and on……..R4 is simply excellent.

I like Y and Y - fine for if driving but not a listen I would look particularly look forward to.
I avoid the comedy slots nowadays. I find them cringeworthy.

I switched away from Radio Four in the mornings at about the same age as you , OP, so perhaps I am growing down.

I could no longer bear the dishonesty and evasion from politicians on the Today programme and the performative inquisitorial assertiveness of the interviewers.

Plus I couldn't bear the general awfulness of the news and my own self-righteous anger.

While I was still commuting I switched to Radio Three <deep calm exhalation of breath>. Now I just have radio silence and leave it to MN to make me sad and angry

6.30pm comedy slot, as a general rule, is decent on Mondays and Fridays but dreadful midweek (the Monday and Friday one is repeated on Saturday and Sunday lunchtime).

I've listened to Radio 4 obsessively since I first went to uni at 18. Nowadays I often switch to my stock of World Service podcasts when R4 gets too bad.

In addition to what people have said above, I like:
Curious Cases (Hannah Fry and Dara O'Brien investigate people's science questions). It's nowhere near as good as previous seasons, with Adam Rutherford, but it's still worth a listen.

Crossing Continents - documentaires about world issues.

From Our Own Correspondent - BBC correspondents across the world give insights/ little stories about their daily lives.

Natalie Haynes Stands up for the Classics, You're Dead to Me - history/ comedy crossovers

The Food Programme, the Kitchen Cabinet

Ok, I'm actually going to stop now. There's about another 10 R4 podcasts I'm subscribed to, but I've realised this is coming over as just listing the entire schedule! It's made me realise that it's still a very good station, even though there's a lot of dross. I much prefer it now that I can switch over to podcasts whenever the live broadcast is not to my liking.

What?! You and yours might be one of the best.

I found Radio 4 in my earlier 20s and have been a convert since. I like:

You and Yours
MoneyBox
Women’s Hour
I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue
The News Quiz
The Now Show
Just a Minute (although this is tinged with sadness now Nicholas Parsons has died)

I also like a lot of the serialised dramas they do now and again.

But my main joy is that first few minutes of tuning in and orienting yourself to what’s going on - is it a comedy, is it drama, is it news, what’s the topic/storyline.

It's Nick Cave on Desert Island Discs right now!

He's coming across very well.

I’m re-listening to Nick Cave on DID atm. On Sunday, when he started with T Rex‘ Metal Guru I almost started a thread just to sing his praises.

Welcome to the world, @greengreyblue.

Haha I still listen a bit but have to switch due to this

Im in Ireland and have heard so much about the archers here over the years. I would love to listen. Is is available online?

I've been listening to R4 for years cannot bear inane DJ's.
Love Broadcasting House - Sunday mornings.
Also Women's Hour and Desert Island Discs. Some of Nick Cave's selection would drive me mad on a desert island.

I found it!!! Disregard x

I'm a convert too. Womans Hr and Just a Minute are my favourites but I have an issue with Melvyn Bragg (sorry to any fans - he just makes my skin crawl and seems misogynisticly facetious or willfully ignorant?).

It feels like I learn things when I listen to Radio 4 and I often realise how dumbed down everything else has become after being immersed for a few hours.

I love radio 4 (despite the Today programme which is too gladiatorial for me).

I am often captivated by subjects I would not have discovered alone and I like the humour!

I do happily dip into The World Service too.

Classic fm and radio 3 are music for me.

Oh dear, @3luckystars - you’re beginning The Archers at quite the strangest time I can recall in its history - and I’ve listened for six decades.

However - do come over to the very, very long running Archers thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/5254618-archers-thread-180-burgeoning-backstories-continuity-whats-that-discuss-the-archers-here?reply=141442162

For many of us the thread keeps us going when the show is unspeakably awful and we wait in hope for the odd brilliant week or episode.

For what is good I'd say

The Briefing Room
The Long View
In Our Time
Start the Week (I think it's called that)

For News I'm more inclined to go to the World Service these days and I don't listen to any dramas or plays

Mark Steels in town, particularly if you know the town, gets it spot on. Another vote for from our own correspondent , a brilliant portmanteau each week from around the world .
Avoid , like the plague it is, any drama with “American” accents unless a genuine American is doing them .
Mostly , though, I’m sorry I haven’t a clue. I’ve seen it live recorded and Sven and Samantha are every bit as gorgeous as you would imagine. Just make sure your pelvic floor is secure as the double entendres sometimes catch you unawares.

Finally serendipity , sometimes the happy finding of a documentary or play is the best thing.

Radio 2 listening has been reducing for me since Terry Wogan went. I carried on with Steve Wright, but I didn't like Chris Evans, Zoe Ball etc. I just assumed that I am no longer the target audience. I am 54 so not old enough for Radio 4 yet.

I am homeless really for radio stations now, so end up on Heart 70s mostly. Feels like there were only two dozen songs released in the 70s from the play list sometimes though, so audio books and podcasts have become more regular listening.

Forgot gardeners question time , particularly when someone brings something dead in, in a plastic bag. I’m sorry to say I’ve also gone to see this recorded. I’ll just adjust my elasticated slacks waistband now .

Radio 6 music is my main one but I nearly always switch on the talking bar Iggy Pop or similar

The Archers used to unite my Irish and British family. Everyone would listen and then comment. Even back in the day when we mainly communicated with Granny by letter! Those who were living in London far away from the family farm felt like they were back at home. Those days are long gone!

As a pp says, it's going through an odd patch at the moment. But you could give it a go anyway. Many people find the MN thread on it to be a better place than the actual show right now, it gives us courage to continue listening when the storylines have gone down a strange path.

Yes I grew up on Terry. Loved Steve also.